Back to business was the theme of Choose Chicago’s recent 2026 Annual Meeting and it was one that reflected the city’s destination marketing organization’s focus on results, strategy, and long-term growth for the city’s tourism and hospitality economy.
Choose Chicago released 2025 hotel metrics at the meeting which revealed a solid 2.3 per cent rise in hotel room demand, bucking national trends and reflecting Chicago’s strength and resilience as a destination.
Speakers at the event included Choose Chicago Board Chair Guy Chipparoni, Choose Chicago President and CEO Kristen Reynolds, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Destinations International President and CEO Don Welsh, and American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden.
Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago, observed that: “Chicago proved in 2025 that this city can compete — and win — even in the most challenging times.”
Reynolds said that: “Leisure travel reached historic highs, overall hotel performance exceeded national benchmarks, and Chicago continued to deliver unforgettable experiences for visitors from around the world. Today is about getting back to business and laying out how we keep that momentum going in 2026, 2027, and beyond — because Chicago is Never Done and Never Outdone.”
And despite ongoing economic and political headwinds facing the global travel industry, Chicago once again outperformed national trends in 2025. While hotel room demand declined nationally by 0.5 per cent, Chicago filled 11.9 million room nights, 2.3 per cent more than 2024.
These hotel bookings generated a record US $2.9 billion in hotel revenues and US $168.15 in Revenue per Available Room, or “RevPAR,” a key metric in the hospitality industry. 2025 was a particularly strong year for leisure travel, setting a new leisure hotel room demand record of 8.2 million room nights.
Governor JB Pritzker pointed out that: “Since the 1893 World’s Fair, Chicago has been known across the globe as one of the world’s greatest cities. More than 100 years later, Choose Chicago has captured that spirit and spread the message of Chicago to people around the world.”
Governor Pritzker said that: “Chicago’s tourism plays a key role in Illinois’ economy – generating more than US $20 billion in economic impact and supporting more than 100,000 jobs. Through strong partnership, we’ll continue to bring the world to Chicago and bring Chicago to the rest of the world.”
Chicago Mayor, Brandon Johnson told the audience: “When visitors come and experience everything Chicago has to offer, everyone benefits. Tourism supports independent businesses, local artists, and venues across our city. Choose Chicago’s work helps tell the real story of our city — one rooted in pride, creativity, equity, and opportunity for all 77 neighbourhoods. They understand that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, both as a city and a destination. I’m proud to work alongside this incredible team to share our stories with the world.”
Beyond highlighting strong travel industry metrics, the program also recapped some of the major events and initiatives that contributed to overall strong performance for tourism and hospitality in 2025, including:
- The launch of “Never Done. Never Outdone.”—a bold, community-informed brand platform rooted in authenticity and local pride
- A rapid-response storytelling effort through the “All for the Love of Chicago” campaign, generating millions of social impressions and evolving into a new podcast platform in 2026
- Strong convention and meetings performance, with 12 major conventions setting attendance records
- Record Sales team performance, securing 65 future citywide conventions and 2.8 million future room nights
- High-profile global events, including the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, international soccer and rugby matches at Soldier Field, IPW 2025, and Chicago’s first-ever live broadcast of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which drove the busiest New Year’s Eve for Chicago hotels on record.
Choose Chicago also released its 2026 Chicago Visitors Guide and 2025 Annual Report at the meeting.
As well, Choose Chicago is planning to build on recent momentum in 2026 by expanding year-round visitation, amplifying neighbourhood and cultural storytelling, growing international and emerging markets, and preparing for a globally significant year ahead that includes a full calendar of major meetings and conventions, the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the United States’ 250th anniversary, and international sporting events.
Go to www.ChooseChicago.com for more.
